Gallbladder & Bile Duct Surgery

The most common disorder of the biliary tree is cholelithiasis or gallstones. Gallstones may also originate in the bile ducts. Gallstones in the gallbladder and/or in the bile ducts may result in pain (biliary colic), infection (cholecystitis, cholangitis), or even inflammation of the pancreas (gallstone pancreatitis). Gallstones are usually located in the gallbladder and if indicated, can be removed with the gallbladder laparoscopically. Gallstones may also originate in the bile ducts, and it is extremely important to determine this.

The gallbladder and bile ducts can be a site for the growth of malignant tumors (cholangiocarcinoma), which may be difficult to diagnose. Your case will be reviewed using the latest diagnostic methods will help determine your particular condition in order to recommend treatment. In most cases, surgery is the mainstay of therapy which involves removal of the cancerous tumor in addition to the gallbladder and, if involved, a portion of bile duct. Removal of the tumor may also involve removal of a portion of the liver.